NDP Statement on the COVID-19 related closure of the Ontario Correctional Institute in Brampton

BRAMPTON — Kevin Yarde, NDP MPP for Brampton North and Official Opposition critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services released the following statement regarding the COVID-19 outbreak in Brampton’s Ontario Correctional Institute and its closure:

“I want to echo the deep concern that I’ve been hearing from frontline corrections workers, community members, and the families of those incarcerated across the province. The crisis at Brampton’s Ontario Correctional Institute – where at least 60 inmates and eight workers have tested positive for COVID-19 – was preventable, and the need to transfer hundreds of inmates to Toronto was preventable.

Now, in the wake of hundreds of inmates being moved to the Toronto South Detention Centre – which also has had three inmates and one staff member test positive for COVID-19 – it is crucial that the Ford government step up and ensure that proper precautions are taken in this facility and facilities across the province, to guard against the continuing spread of the virus.

This includes ensuring that all of the province’s correctional facilities are able to implement physical distancing, making sure everyone has the personal protective equipment they need, and greatly expanding testing in jails, as suggested by Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, Dr. Yaffe.

Health experts and frontline workers have been clear about what must be done, and the NDP’s letters pleading for action have been ignored. It's beyond time for the government to act on these clear and critical recommendations.”